THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • Homophobic Crimes Up Nearly 20 Per Cent In London

    Homophobic Crimes Up Nearly 20 Per Cent In London

    Statistics from the Metropolitan Police show that homophobic crime has soared nearly 20 per cent in one year.

    CREDIT: ©-ronfromyork-Depositphotos
    CREDIT: ©-ronfromyork-Depositphotos

    Homophobic or anti-LGBT crimes in London have risen nearly 20 per cent from March 2015 to March 2016 a report out from the Metropolitan Police shows today.

    In total 1861 crimes were reported in London 2015 to 2016 compared with 1559 the year before.

    The rise accounts for a 19.4 per cent increase.

    Whilst some boroughs have managed to decrease the number of homophobic crimes by up to 20 per cent like Merton, some boroughs like Haringey have seen a 259 per cent rise in anti-LGBT crime.

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    The Met believes these increases are down to a range of factors, including improvements in crime recording, willingness of victims to report hate crime, world events, improved awareness of Met staff to identify these offences and support provided by more than 900 specialist hate crime investigators and our work with partners to support victims. 

    Assistant Commissioner Helen King, Territorial Policing said,

     “London is a major, much visited, vibrant and growing capital city with diverse policing needs and is one of the safest global cities in the world. It is for this reason that people from other countries invest millions of pounds in London. There are not many capital cities in the world with such low rates of serious crime, such as murder and gun crime. 

    “The Met is continuing to work with partners, businesses and the public to reduce the number of offences taking place. Our officers have spent the last year conducting both pro active operations and preventative work in order to reduce crime, better support victims and build more engagement with communities. 

    “We will continue to keep up our intensified focus on areas such as violence where we have seen a rise in recorded offences. We must not lose sight of the reductions we have achieved over the last five years.” 

  • Is Pierre Fitch About To Quit The Porn Business For Good?

    Is Pierre Fitch About To Quit The Porn Business For Good?

    Pierre Fitch is apparently considering calling it quits on the porn business.

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  • David Gandy’s Insta Is Giving Us Feels

    David Gandy’s Insta Is Giving Us Feels

    Supermodel David Gandy is giving us feels.

    David Gandy
    CREDIT: DFree-bigstock

    The Marks And Spencer’s heartthrob David Gandy is not afraid to upload his goodness and gorgeousness to his Instagram, for which we are totally grateful for.

    Here’s five looks we’re dying for right now.

     

     

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  • Pressure Mounts For Air France As “Gay” Petition Hits Nearly 25,000

    Pressure Mounts For Air France As “Gay” Petition Hits Nearly 25,000

    The pressure is rising for Air France as a petition asking the airline to allow flight attendants who identify as gay to refuse travel to Iran reaches nearly 25,000 signatures.

    Air France
    CREDIT: Air France

    A petition which is calling on Air France to allow its openly gay flight crews to refuse travel on a route to Iran is gathering momentum and has had over 24,000 signatures added to it.

    Air France is due to recommence flights to Tehran in Iran which has left many of its gay flight attendants fearing for their lives and questioning what might happen to them after landing.

     

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    Mr. Laurent who created the petition called upon Air France/KLM to reconsider its ethical stance on sending gay flight attendants to Iran

    “It is time again to show that Air France believes in ethics, not only for his public image. [But to] grant gay crew the right to refuse to go to a country where they could be killed for who they are.”

     

    ALSO READ: We ask the EU Airlines that fly to Iran what their policy for safe guarding LGBT staff members

    ALSO READ: Where in the world has the death penalty for being gay

     

    TheGayUK reached out to Air France’s press team yesterday to ask whether they would acknowledge the petition and whether they will allow those who identify as gay to opt out of flights to Iran. They have yet to respond.

  • Airlines That Fly To Iran

    There are a number of airlines that fly out of the UK and connect in Iran.

    Austrian Airlines
    CREDIT: © Austrian Airlines Group

    Using Skyscanner.net we were able to find airlines based in the European Union which fly to Iran. We have reached out to each of the airlines to find out what their policy is on gay flight attendants who fly to Iran and whether LGBT crew can opt out of flying to a country which could potentially execute them because of their sexuality.

    Air France has come under increasing pressure after a petition calling on the airline to check its ethics surrounding gay air crew went viral.

    There are a number of countries in the world that outlaw homosexuality and at least 10 of which have the death penalty for homosexual acts.

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    The airlines which will be flying to Iran from May include: Air France, Alitalia, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines

    Austrian Airlines 8967212827_01be0cda81_h
    Austrian Airlines

     

    A spokesman for Austrian Airlines said,

    All our crew members are informed about local traditions and laws. Furthermore, we of course do not know about private details like sexuality of our crew members. If a crew member does not want to fly to a certain destination because of reasonable personal reasons, this will be considered within his roster.

    Compared to Air France, Austrian flights to Iran are very popular among our crews, there are no complaints regarding headscarves or the like.

     

    Air France, Alitalia and Lufthansa have yet to respond to our request.

     

  • Where In The World Is Homosexuality Punished By The Death Penalty

    Where In The World Is Homosexuality Punished By The Death Penalty

    There are many countries and states where homosexual acts could land you the death penalty. Of these countries, all are located in Central Africa or in the Middle East.

    Where In The World Is Homosexuality Pubishable By Death
    CREDIT: TheGayUK

    There are the countries places on earth that have specific laws which call for the death penalty of those who are found to have engaged in homosexual acts.

    Afghanistan

    Men could face execution but are more likely to receive long prison sentences. No executions are known to have been handed out since the end of the Taliban rule.

    Brunei*

    Gay men in Brunei could be stoned or given 10 years in prison if found guilty of homosexual acts.

    Iran

    In Iran gay men can be lashed up to 74 times for “immature men” and the death penalty for mature men of sound mind – and where the acts were consenting. Women can be lashed 50 times and can face the death penalty after their fourth conviction.

    Mauritania

    Homosexuality is against the law in Mauritania and could attract the death penalty however there have been no public executions since 1987.

     

    Qatar

    In Qatar, gay men may face execution if they are Muslim otherwise men can face fines and a prison sentence which lasts 7 years.

     

    Saudi Arabia

    A second conviction of homosexuality in Saudi Arabia will land a death penalty. For first offence, men can face fines, castration, flogging, prison and torture.

     

    Sudan

    Homosexuality has been illegal in Sudan since 1899. Death penalty occurs on the third offence for men and four offence for women.

     

    Yemen

    Married men can expect to be stoned to death if caught having same-sex relations. Unmarried men will receive 100 lashes or one-year imprisonment.

     

    Libya

    Gay men could face death in Libya.

     

    Nigeria

    Homosexuality is illegal in some states of Nigeria and could attract the death penalty. These states include: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara

     

    Somalia

    Homosexuality is illegal in Somalia and could attract a death penalty.

     

    Syria

    The actual penalty that gay men should face for homosexual acts is a prison for up to 3 years, however, due to the rise in ISIS a highly advertised death awaits those found guilty of engaging in same-sex sexual acts.

     

    Iraq

    Despite homosexuality not being illegal in Iraq, there have been reported executions of gay men in ISIS controlled areas.

     

    * Brunei is a Sovereign state and not a country.

    There are some countries where although capital punishment might not be constitutionally ratified there are cases where gay people have been killed because of their sexuality.

  • The Sass Level Of This Kid Is Level 10

    The Sass Level Of This Kid Is Level 10

    This kid rocks. His sass level is well beyond his years and to top it all off his Mum might just be the coolest mum on the planet.

    This boy is literally dripping fashion and his Mum, Tangela Washington, is supporting his every move to becoming the next Anna Wintour.

    Tangela Washington posted the video to her Facebook page and it’s already been seen by over 3 million people.

    Our son, Sir, is 5 yrs old. He has been particular about what he wears and how it fits since he was 2 and a half. He began to show interest in designing clothes and then asking us to show him how to sew at 4. He is now creating and sewing (by hand) his own creations. He always models his designs “so I know how they’ll look” he says. We may have the next iconic fashion designer of all times on our hands! Take a look!

     

     

    Beyonce Level 10…

  • Ringo Starr Pulls Out Of North Carolina Gig Over Anti-LGBT Law

    Ringo Starr Pulls Out Of North Carolina Gig Over Anti-LGBT Law

    Former Beatles superstar Ringo Starr has pulled out of a gig in North Carolina because of its anti-LGBT laws.

    CREDIT: mazzzur / Bigstock Photos
    CREDIT: mazzzur / Bigstock Photos

    Another rock legend has pulled out of a gig in the US state of North Carolina because of its discriminatory laws against LGBT people.

    The star’s decision to pull out of a gig follows Bruce Springsteen and PayPal‘s decisions to effectively boycott the state.

    Ringo Starr, 75, the former drummer for The Beatles, released a statement in which he stated,

    “I’m sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred. Spread peace and love.”

    “How sad that they feel that this group of people cannot be defended.”

    Last month North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed a law which will allow business owners to discriminate against LGBT people on the grounds of religious belief.

    The law also requires trans people to use the public toilet that aligns with the gender that is on their birth certificate.

    Canadian rocker Bryan Adams cancelled a concert in Mississippi in protest over a similar law which is due to be enacted in July.

    Calls on social media have asked that gay icon Dolly Parton follow in Springsteen’s steps and cancel her upcoming date in Greensboro, North Carolina. The star has yet to make a statement on whether she will cancel on continue with her date.

    A spokesman for the venue, Andrew Brown, speaking about Springsteen’s cancellation, told CNN that no other performer had threatened to pull out over the measure,

    “Obviously we’re concerned, but this is the first cancelation we’ve had.”

  • Gay Flight Attendants Worried About Facing Death Penalty In Iran

    Gay Flight Attendants Worried About Facing Death Penalty In Iran

    Gay Air France flight attendants are concerned over flying into Iran after the airline reinstated flights to the country.

    CREDIT: AirFrance
    CREDIT: AirFrance

    Air France is due to recommence flights to Tehran in Iran which has left many of its gay flight attendants fearing for their lives and what might happen to them after landing.

    A petition has been created by a concerned employee of France’s largest airline who called for the airline to re-look at its ethics.

    The petition has reached over 13,000 signatures.

    Mr. Laurent who created the petition called upon Air France/KLM to reconsider its ethical stance on sending gay flight attendants to Iran

    “It is time again to show that Air France believes in ethics, not only for his public image. [But to] grant gay crew the right to refuse to go to a country where they could be killed for who they are.”

     

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    Homosexuality is illegal in Iran and those found guilty can face 74 lashes or the death penalty.

    In 2008 Air France suspended flights to Iran. The airline is resuming the service after international sanctions on the Islamic Republic over its nuclear programme were lifted.

    Speaking about Air France’s decision to resume flights to Iran,  Mr. Laurent commented,

    “If the economic decision to open flights to Tehran is understandable, the moral issue is different. Human Rights in this country are almost non-existent.”

    Air France has already said it will allow female flight attendants the right to refuse travel to Iran. The petition is asking the company to consider the same option for those who identify as openly gay.

     

    ALSO READ: Where In The World Is Homosexuality Punishable By The Death Penalty

     

    Mr Laurent continued,

    “Fortunately, the unions intervened, the feminist cause is often seen, the media seized the debate, the hostess got (which would have seemed logical from the start) the right to refuse travel.”

    TheGayUK reached out to Air France for comment, the airline has yet to comment on the petition or answer questions about the safety of LGBT staff members.

  • Can You Spot The Difference? Johnny Carter Is Back

    Can You Spot The Difference? Johnny Carter Is Back

    Johnny Carter is back – but can you tell the difference?

    John Carter Spot the Difference CREDIT: THEGAYUK / BBC
    CREDIT: THEGAYUK / BBC
    CREDIT: Monty McKinnen
    CREDIT: Monty McKinnen
    CREDIT: (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron
    CREDIT: (C) BBC – Photographer: Kieron McCarron

     

    Johnny is coming back to EastEnders on the 12th April, but he looks very different from the last time we saw him! Johnny has a new actor behind him!

    The part of Johnny was originated by Sam Strike, who decided to leave the soap in December 2014.

    He left the soap to make his name in Hollywood.

    Speaking about his decision to leave Sam said,

    “I also didn’t really feel like at the time my character was necessarily needed in EastEnders.

    “When I was in talks about leaving, I spoke to the people that I’d been working with the most – including Dom, the executive producer, and the Carters. I said to them that if there was anything they really wanted me to do we’d do that, as I didn’t want to leave people high and dry.

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    However the character is back and is now played by Ted Reilly.

    Johnny Carter is not the first EastEnders’ character to be played by more than one person. In the past characters Lucy Beale, Martin Fowler and Sam Mitchell have all had actor changes in the past.

     

  • The Internet’s Hot Gay Dads Are Back Together And Are Expecting Baby Number 5!

    The Internet’s Hot Gay Dads Are Back Together And Are Expecting Baby Number 5!

    The Internet’s hot gay dads are back and expect child number 5!

    Kordale and Kaleb
    CREDIT: Kordale and Kaleb / Instagram

    After announcing the news that they were splitting last July, Kaleb and Kordale, the hot gay dads that took the Internet by storm with their candid morning routine picture, are back together and are expecting baby number 5!

    Their story became a huge overnight success and the family starred in their very own Nikon Ad Campaign.

    The Instagram fathers took to their official account to announce that they were expecting baby number 5.

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    “After a long time of trying and praying, we’re finally able to announce our pregnancy at 12 weeks!! (WE’RE PREGNANT!!),”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BEB9krNBmcE/?taken-by=kordalenkaleb

    The two, who parted ways last July never explained the reason behind their split, but the pair apparently sorted their differences at Christmas time, revealing,

    “Real love is hard to find. However when you do find it. Hold on to it. Love is not easy, fight for it like hell.”

    The baby is due in October and will join their four other kids and three dogs – sounds like a very busy household.

    Congrats guys!